10 travel-worthy Christmas trees across the USA

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A forest of nearly 100 Christmas trees transforms the South Dakota State Capitol in Pierre every holiday season. The trees, each decorated by a different organization or company, attract crowds to the 1910 neoclassical building throughout the holiday season. christmasatthecapitol.sd.gov

In New York City, Rockefeller Center's famous Christmas tree attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. This year’s tree, a 72-foot, 12-ton Norway spruce, grew about 75 miles away in Wallkill, New York. It’s draped with about 50,000 LED lights, and topped with a 900-pound star made from 3 million Swarovski crystals. Will Steacy, nycgo.com

In recent years, botanical gardens and zoos have launched flashy holiday exhibitions, but few equal the show in Toledo, Ohio, where the zoo grounds are festooned with more than 1 million lights, including 35,000 alone on an 85-foot spruce. Toledo Zoo & Aquarium

Citadel Outlets in Commerce, California, is home to what has been called the world’s largest live-cut Christmas tree. The white fir tree from northern California’s Shasta-Trinity National Forest is 110 feet tall. Citadel Outlets

The National Christmas Tree Association's grand champion grower provides the White House Christmas tree every year. This year's honor goes to a 19.5-foot Fraser fir from Newland, North Carolina. National Christmas Tree Association

The Mayor's Christmas Tree in Kansas City, Missouri, lords over the city’s Crown Center, an entertainment center that’s home to an ice-skating rink, a gingerbread village and holiday train. Mark McCabe

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In New York City, Rockefeller Center's famous Christmas tree attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. This year’s tree, a 72-foot, 12-ton Norway spruce, grew about 75 miles away in Wallkill, New York. It’s draped with about 50,000 LED lights, and topped with a 900-pound star made from 3 million Swarovski crystals.(Photo: Will Steacy, nycgo.com)

Christmas trees draw communities and travelers together, says Tim O’Connor, executive director of the National Christmas Tree Association. Towering and elaborately decorated public trees allow visitors to join in local holiday traditions and gatherings. “They really symbolize Christmas so well, and attract tens of thousands of people.” He shares some favorites.

Mayor's Christmas Tree, Kansas City, Missouri

One of the nation’s largest Christmas trees shines above Kansas City every holiday season. A 100-foot Oregon Douglas fir lords over the city’s Crown Center, which welcomes Christmas with an ice-skating rink, a gingerbread village and holiday train. At the end of each season, wood from the tree is made into ornaments. Proceeds from sales benefit a holiday charity fund for needy city residents. crowncenter.com

Citadel Outlets, Commerce, California

Perhaps it’s no surprise that the home to what has been called the world’s largest live-cut Christmas tree is a Southern California outlet mall. The white fir from California’s Shasta-Trinity National Forest stands 110 feet, and is easily visible from freeways. It’s decorated with 18,000 LED lights and 10,000 ornaments. “The thing is huge. It’s gargantuan. I can’t even imagine how difficult it is to put it up,” O’Connor says. citadeloutlets.com

White House Christmas Tree, Washington, D.C.

Just like the president, a tree makes it to the White House by winning votes. This year’s honor goes to a 19.5-foot Fraser fir from Newland, North Carolina. The grower was chosen as the National Christmas Tree Association’s grand champion, and White House staff picked the tree to be displayed in the Blue Room. “It’s like winning the Super Bowl,” O’Connor says. The public can get limited tour tickets through their congressional representative. whitehouse.gov1.info/visit/white-house-christmas-tour.html

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The official White House Christmas tree is seen in the Blue Room during the Christmas press preview at the White House in Washington, Monday, Nov. 26, 2018. The tree measures 18 feet tall and is dressed in over 500 feet of blue velvet ribbon embroidered in gold with each State and territory. Carolyn Kaster, AP

The First Family's official Christmas ornament is seen during the press preview at the White House in Washington, Monday, Nov. 26, 2018. Christmas has arrived at the White House for 2018 as first lady Melania Trump unveiled the holiday decor. She designed the decor, which features a theme of "American Treasures." Carolyn Kaster, AP

The gingerbread house, showcasing the full expanse of the National Mall: the Capitol, the Lincoln Memorial, the Jefferson Memorial, the Washington Monument, and, the White House is seen in the State Dining Room during the 2018 Christmas Press Preview at the White House in Washington, Monday, Nov. 26, 2018. Carolyn Kaster, AP

Place settings for a previous President Donald Trump State dinner is seen in the China Room during a 2018 Christmas preview at the White House in Washington, Monday, Nov. 26, 2018. A name card for President Donald Trump is left and another for French President Emmanuel Macron's wife Brigitte Macron is right. Carolyn Kaster, AP

Grand Foyer and Cross Hall leading into the Blue Room and the official White House Christmas tree are seen during the 2018 Christmas Press Preview at the White House in Washington, Monday, Nov. 26, 2018. Carolyn Kaster, AP

Carrying first lady Melania Trump's "Be Best" initiative, the Red Room is decorated to "celebrate children through the décor, which displays ways in which children can excel in their own path" at the White House, Nov. 26, 2018, in Washington. Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images

A window silhouette of President Thomas Jefferson playing the violin for his family in 1805 hangs in a window of the Vermeil Room which is decorated for the holidays at the White House, Nov. 26, 2018, in Washington. Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images

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A forest of nearly 100 Christmas trees transforms the South Dakota State Capitol every holiday season. The trees, each decorated by a different organization or company, attract crowds to the 1910 neoclassical statehouse. “It’s really spectacular. You can look down the halls and see tree after tree after tree,” O’Connor says. “They’re all real, all beautiful and all unique.” christmasatthecapitol.sd.gov

Perkasie Borough, Pennsylvania

A community Christmas tree lighting might seem as traditional as caroling, but the practice didn’t start until 1909, according to the folks in Perkasie Borough. The Bucks County town claims to host the country’s oldest community tree lighting ceremony, and the event and decorated tree still attract crowds every year. “It’s very cool. It’s something for them to hang their hat on,” O’Connor says. perkasieborough.org

Rockefeller Center, New York City

O’Connor says this famous Manhattan tree lives up to the hype. “It’s just a work of art. It’s as close to perfection as you can probably get. It literally stops traffic.” This year’s tree, a 72-foot, 12-ton Norway spruce, grew about 75 miles away in Wallkill, New York. It’s draped with about 50,000 LED lights, and topped with a 900-pound star made from millions of Swarovski crystals. rockefellercenter.com

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The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree has been lit, officially kicking off the holiday season. Click through to see the best moments from Wednesday night's 86th Annual Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree ceremony in New York City. Mary Altaffer, AP

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In recent years, botanical gardens and zoos have launched flashy holiday exhibitions, but few equal the show in Toledo, where the zoo grounds are festooned with more than 1 million lights, including 35,000 alone on an 85-foot spruce. Last year, the show attracted 175,000 visitors. “Kids would love it, and it’s a great event for families,” O’Connor says. toledozoo.org/lights

Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Boston

A 60-foot Norwegian spruce tree, trucked in from Red Hook, New York, not only adds to Boston’s dazzling skyline, but it also entertains visitors to the city’s historic market. Light shows sync the tree to six different traditional and retro holiday tunes, including "Santa Claus is Coming to Town," performed by the Jackson 5. faneuilhallmarketplace.com

Nugget Casino, Sparks, Nevada

For a sure return on Christmas cheer, find your way to this Reno-area casino for its colossal grand fir from southern Oregon. The tree reaches 70 feet tall and anchors the town’s Victorian Square. “It makes them more than just a gambling location, offering options that attract all family members,” O’Connor says. nuggetcasinoresort.com

Texas pecan tree, Highland Park, Texas

Although O’Connor prefers a traditional evergreen, he admires how a Dallas-area city has built a tradition around decorating a mammoth pecan tree which stands 75 feet tall, and is about 75 feet wide and at least 150 years old. The tree, which takes four men a week to decorate, is the centerpiece for an annual community holiday celebration. hptx.org

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party includes Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, a grand procession that features holiday-themed floats, toy soldiers that actually march, life-sized gingerbread men, and, of course, a grand finale appearance by a certain Mr. Claus. Kent Phillips

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party includes Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, a grand procession that features holiday-themed floats, toy soldiers that actually march, life-sized gingerbread men, and, of course, a grand finale appearance by a certain Mr. Claus. Ryan Wendler

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party includes Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, a grand procession that features holiday-themed floats, toy soldiers that actually march, life-sized gingerbread men, and, of course, a grand finale appearance by a certain Mr. Claus. Kent Phillips

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party includes Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, a grand procession that features holiday-themed floats, toy soldiers that actually march, life-sized gingerbread men, and, of course, a grand finale appearance by a certain Mr. Claus. Todd Anderson